OMAHA, Neb. -- Creighton University student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom as well as on the field, water or court, according to the Division I Graduation Success Rate (GSR) Reports released today by the NCAA. Creighton led its former league, the Missouri Valley Conference, in student-athlete graduation success rate at 95 percent and was second in its current league, the BIG EAST Conference, in the same category. The 95 percent ranking was tied for 21st nationally among schools according to figures calculated by Xavier.

Creighton's 94 percent Student-Athlete graduation success rate was easily the best in The Valley, well ahead of second-place Bradley (92). Among its former MVC brethren, Creighton was third in graduation rate (80) of its student-athletes and tied for first in four-class average of all students on campus (76).

The most recent Division I Graduation Success Rates are based on the four entering freshmen classes from 2003-2004 through 2006-07.

Creighton had a 100 percent GSR in nine of its 14 sports, including men's cross country, men's golf, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's crew, women's golf, women's soccer, women's tennis and women's volleyball. The GSR reflects the federal graduation rate cohort and adds those student-athletes receiving aid who entered mid-year as well as those who transferred into the institution.

According to the latest NCAA data nationwide, 65 percent of Division I freshmen student-athletes who entered college in 2006 earned their degrees. The average GSR for the last four graduating classes nationally is 81 percent.

The NCAA developed the Graduation Success Rate as part of its academic reform initiative to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. The rate holds institutions accountable for transfer students, unlike the federal graduation rate. The Graduation Success Rate also accounts for midyear enrollees and is calculated for every sport.